Pest of tea

In Economic zoology role of Pests of tea their Life cycles and Habitat and Structure.

1. Pest of Tea

2. Introduction : Tea plants are perennial shrubs of Genus Camellia ( C.thea ) which are grown as plantation crops in different parts of world. Since these are perennial and continue to grow for many years , they prone to pest infestation of various kinds. Tea crops provide ideal and long lasting conditions for growth and propagation of pest as there less chance of total harvastation .

3. G.M Das (1965) have described 147 types of different insects which infest tea crops. Tea pest can be controlled by efficient cultural and mechanical methods and non residual insecticides is preferred in place of residual ones.

4. Tea Plant

5. Pests: Some of the pests are discussed below : 1 . Helopeltis atonii (Tea mosquito bug). 2. Andraca bipunctata (The bunch Caterpillar). 3 . Eterusia magnifica 4 . Empoasca flavescens . (The Tea Green Fly). 5. Shot-Hole Borer : Xyleborus fornicates ( Scolytidae : Coleoptera ).

6. 1) H elopeltis atonii signoret ( Tea mosquito bug) These mainly feed on tea plant but a number of alternate host plant as well like cashew-nut, guava-fruit and some medicinal plants. GENERAL APPEARANCE : Adult are cylindrical elongated about 6-8 mm in lenght and very active. Are good fliers and have mixed red, Black and yellow coloration. Male have a blackish area near shoulder which is orange in females.

7. 2 Days 5-27 days 12-58 days Life cycle completed in 19-87 days

8. During daytime adults remain concealed under leaves. The larvae of H.antonii are red and ant like. LIFE HISTORY: As soon as emerge out both sexes mate and female lays 500 eggs within 2 days of mating. The eggs are inserted within the tender parts of the plant more commonly in axis of leaves or in inflorescence or buds by females. EGGS: The eggs are elongated and sausage shaped. Depending upon season, they may Hatch into 5-27 days.

9. NYMPH: The wingless nymphs are red and because of delicate legs look like ant or spider. They feed on host sap. The nymphal period last for 12-15 days in summer while 53-58 days in winter. The nymph undergoes 5 modulations to become adult. DAMAGE: Nymphs and bugs both are destructive stages. They puncture leaves from many areas to suck juice. They eject saliva on feeding site which later undergo necrosis with brownish patches on leaf and whole leaf later falls down. If infestation is severe the plant may suffer Defoliation and shoot dies as a result plant look like broom.

10. Control: The pest population can be reduced by hand picking of nests in morning and evening to kill adults and nymphs easily. The spraying of malathion 0.05% on tea plant is very effective. One should be very careful for residual problems of toxicity , so low values of pesticide should be used.

11. 2) Andraca bipunctata (The bunch Caterpillar) Its common and serious pest causing great loss to tea production. During daytime large number of caterpillar of this pest huddle together on the branches of its host plant, hence called the bunch caterpillars . GENERAL APPEARANCE: The wing span of male moth ranges from 33-45mm and 45-58mm in females. Adults brown in color. Wings have dark wavy lines and two white spots near outer margins.

12. Eggs Caterpillar Pupa Adult moth (Male and Female) 7 -11 days 3-4 weeks 16-29 days Life cycle complete in 50-75 days in summer

13. The hind wings are brown and pale in anterior region. The antennae are bipectinate(branched) but as compared to females the males have more developed and bipectinate antennae. LIFE HISTORY: After copulation female lays eggs in cluster in 100-120 eggs on lower surface of leaves. EGGS: Yellowish in color and are arranged linearly by female moths. Within 7-11 days caterpillar hatches .

14. LARVA: After emergence the caterpillars, first of all, feed on their egg shells then lacerate leaf tissues and then finally consume whole leaf. These caterpillars remain clustered in characteristic bunches thus called BUNCH CATERPILLARS. The fully grow and well matured larva measures 65mm in length.

15. The larva is TAWNY-YELLOW with reddish tinge and broad blackish-brown transverse strips. PUPA: For pupation larva descend from host plant and pupate on the ground among dried leaves. The pupal period varies in different seasons , in summer 16-29 days , in rainy season about 46 days and winter 68-120 days. The pupa is reddish brown in color. 25 mm in size.

16. DAMAGE: The damage is caused by caterpillars. They eat foliage of plant. Initially they feed on surface tissue only but later affect whole leaf bladder. The caterpillars move in groups and before going down for pupation a bunch of caterpillars may destroy several bushes of tea plantation . CONTROL : As caterpillars live in cluster so their nest can be destroy by hand picking. Treatment with 0.05% endosulfan or 0.1% Landane can keep the plant protected from it.

17. 3) Eterusia magnifica : E.magnifica is commonly found in sub-tropical areas. GENERAL APPEARANCE: Adult moth look like butterfly. They are beautifully coloured having bluish-black, yellow and white patches. Fully grown moth measure 55-65mm across expanded wings. They are diurnal in habit and slow fliers.

18. Life cycle completes in 55-70 days in May – June 8-12 days 30-37 days 18-21 days

19. LIFE HISTORY : After copulation, the female moth lay eggs on the lower side of leaves or on branches in masses. A female may lay 500 or more eggs. EGGS: These are white and elongated and larvae hatch from it in about 8-12 days. LARVA : Larval life lasts for 4-5 weeks during which it undergoes five instars. The larvae are brownish or reddish brick in colour . A fully mature larva measures 25mm in length. Larva feed on mature tea leaves in night. During day time they remain hidden in ground or amidst the thick bunches of leaves.

20. PUPA: Pupation takes place on leaves. Cocoon is pinkish in colour . Pupal period last for 18-21 days . Generally four generations are completed in an year. Time taken to complete single lifecycle varies according to season. During MAY-JUNE lifecycle is completed in 55 to 70 days. . DAMAGE: The damage is mainly caused by caterpillar which feed on mature leaf. In severe cases bark and young leaves of tea plant are also infested. CONTROL: Destruction of larvae and pupa can be controlled by hand picking of nest. Spraying of crop with 0.05% LINDANE or 0.05% endosulfan or 0.2% carbaryl is recommended. In severe infestation 0.1% Malathion may be sprayed.

21. 4) Empoasca flavescens Fab. (The Tea Green Fly) This is widely distributed pest found in whole Palearctic regions, United states of America, East Africa, Brazil, Ceylon. GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Adults are small and yellowish- green jassids , less than ¼ Inch in length. The head is prolongated forward as smooth, flat, triangular structure. The thorax is simple. The hind legs have two parallel rows of spines which extends all along the hind tibiae.

22. 5-7 days 6-13 days 8-22 days Life cycle completes in 19-42 days

23. LIFE HISTORY : The female lacerate the leaves tissue and young stems and insert eggs inside the veins and mid ribs of the leaves. EGGS : A female lays eggs 15 to 37 in number. The oviposition period is 5 to 7 days. Depending upon the temperature egg hatches into nymph within 6 to 13 days. Hatching period is longer in summer as compared to winter . NYMPH: The nymph undergoes 5 instars and becomes adult in 8 to 22 days . Life cycle is completed in a span of 19 to 42 days. The average longevity of male adult is 9 days, whereas the female lives for 17 days . In certain cases it has been recorded that an adult may live upto 102 days .

24. The insect remain active throughout the year but maximum population growth occurs during NOVEMBER to JANUARY. DAMAGE: Both the adults and nymphs are destructive. They feed upon the sap of leaves. By sucking the apical shoot they prevent the growth of the plant. The early symptoms, as a result of the infections of this pest , is the appearance of yellow or brownish patches at the margin of the leaves, followed by distortion of leaf veins and curling of leaves. Such a symptom is called as Rim Blight

25. Ultimately, the leaf becomes brittle and dries. Beside tea, this pest also attack castor, cotton, Lady’s finger, brinjal, potato, etc. CONTROL: Owing to its minute size destruction of this pest by hand picking is not possible. Chemical control involves spraying of Malathion, Endosulfan , DDT, Parathion, BHC, Phosphamidon , Carbaryl etc.

26. 5) Shot-Hole Borer : Xyleborus fornicates  Damaging stage- Adult  Nature of damage- It makes holes on the roots and on the lower part of main trunk  Grubs, upon hatching feed on a fungus Monocrosporoum embrocium

27. Life cycle: • Fecundity- • Incubation- 10-12 days • Larval period- 45-60days • Pupal period- 20-30 days • The adults are small in size brown, reddish brown or black in colour , head completely bending downwards with blunt end. • Activity- Winter months

28. Larvae Pupae Adults

29. Damage :  Yellowing of lateral branches.  Small pin holes on main trunk.  Oozing of fiberous material from the trunk.

30. Control : • Avoid water logging • Swab Carbaryl paste around stem upto 2 feet from base • Drenching with Chloropyriphos 2.5 ml/ ltr

31. Thank You